Patriots ask fans to donate blood at Invensys Foxboro Branch YMCA on May 22

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation and the Hockmock Area YMCA will host the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham and Women’s Hospital Blood Mobile—the traveling extension of the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center—for a blood drive on Sunday, May 22. The drive will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside of the Kraft Family Center at the Invensys Foxboro Branch YMCA, 67 Mechanic St., in Foxborough.

Donors will receive a Patriots gift bag and can meet and take photos with special guests, including Patriots alumni, mascot Pat Patriot and members of the 2016 New England Patriots cheerleading squad.

The Patriots Charitable Foundation has a long history of advocating for volunteer blood and platelet donations, both at the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center and throughout the region, encouraging all eligible fans to consider making a life-saving difference. Volunteer blood and platelet donors are the only source of these blood products, which are essential for people going through cancer treatment and many other critically ill patients in need of life-saving transfusions.

The drive will be open to the public. Advance appointments are preferred (walk-ins will be accepted as time permits) and can be scheduled by emailing BloodDonor@partners.org with the subject heading, “Patriots,” and two preferred donation times. In general, to give blood, donors should be at least 17 years old, 110 pounds or heavier, and in good health, and should bring a valid photo ID on the day of their donation. To sign up online, visit http://tinyurl.com/YMCAmay2016.

To learn more about eligibility and the donation process, please call the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at 617-632-3206 or visit www.dana-farber.org/blooddonation.

ABOUT THE KRAFT FAMILY BLOOD DONOR CENTER
New England Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft and his family are longtime champions in raising awareness of the crucial need for volunteer blood and platelet donors—throughout the region and beyond. The Center bearing the Kraft family name collects essential blood products, including platelets and whole blood and red cells, which are provided to patients receiving care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

ABOUT THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation is the nonprofit organization established by Robert Kraft in 1994 to support charitable and philanthropic agencies throughout New England. This support comes in the form of direct grants and the donation of signed memorabilia to charitable causes, and from Patriots players who offer their direct support by appearing at charity functions throughout the year. The Foundation's primary goal is to support programs that aid the youth and families of the New England region by assisting programs that foster cultural diversity, education, family and health. The Foundation has taken special interest in youth programs that encourage education, creativity and development of character. For more information, please visit www.patriots.com/community.

ABOUT THE HOCKMOCK AREA YMCA:

Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.

Our YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.

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